www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 The sound of birds chirping fills the air around the winding paths along wetlands with a view of the Natividad neighborhood that surrounds Ensen Community Park in Salinas. This new addition to the park is a 67-acre restoration area that opens to the public on Sept. 20, marking the second and most ambitious phase of an effort to transform the historic Carr Lake Basin into a public space serving both people and wildlife. The restoration project called for moving 180,000 cubic yards of soil and planting over 12,000 native plants and trees. The area adjoins the six-acre neighborhood park that opened in August 2025 to a crowd of more than 1,500 people. That first phase brought in a playground, basketball court, skate park, dog park, picnic areas, bathrooms and parking—all elements residents requested through a community engagement process led by the Big Sur Land Trust with the City of Salinas and local organizations. The new 67-acre section is built on the lower floodplain where much of the farming once took place. The restoration reimagines what used to be a network of straight agricultural ditches into a more natural system of meandering channels, seasonal ponds and native plant communities. “In a place where there’s a lack of open space and opportunities for families to be in nature together, this area is meant to be a refuge, for people and for wildlife,” Big Sur Land Trust Director of Conservation Rachel Saunders says. Over time, the 480-acre area known as Carr Lake was farmed by three Japanese American families: the Hibinos, Higashis and Ikedas, who became long-term stewards of the land. In the 2000s, the land trust began negotiating with property owners, eventually reaching a purchase agreement in 2016 with the Ikeda family, who owned 73 acres and were ready to move on. The land was acquired in 2017 by the trust, launching an eightyear journey of planning, design, environmental review and permitting. The project represents an investment of over $40 million. This funding comes from multiple sources, including nearly $8.5 million from the 2018 voter-approved Proposition 68 and additional public and private funding. Four state agencies backed the habitat area, including the Wildlife Conservation Board, California Coastal Conservancy, Department of Water Resources Urban Streams Program and California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Program, together supporting an almost $18 million restoration effort. For educators, the site offers an outdoor classroom within city limits. According to Saunders, teachers have expressed interest in bringing students to the park to learn about watersheds, climate change, local wildlife and native plants. The site, with 19 bird boxes and nesting poles installed, is already attracting a diversity of bird species, including egrets, herons and avocets; 68 species have been counted. Interpretive signage will help tell these stories—not just ecological, but also human. Panels will highlight the Ohlone, Costanoan and Esselen peoples whose ancestral lands include this area, the Japanese American families who farmed Carr Lake and endured forced incarceration, beginning with a detention center across the street, Chinese laborers who dug the early ditches, and the farmworker communities who sustain the region. Some signs will incorporate Indigenous language and traditional plant uses, deepening the park’s role as a cultural and natural resource. Even after the grand opening, the work is far from over. The Big Sur Land Trust will transfer land ownership to the City of Salinas, but longterm habitat restoration responsibilities will stay with the nonprofit for roughly the next decade. Natividad hospital is located just across the street to the north. Hillary Fish, director of community relations for Natividad, says she already toured the area and is excited for the public to see the new additions and have a nearby place to walk. “It looks beautiful. Those who were involved worked hard on making [Ensen Community Park] a welcoming space for everybody,” Fish says. Restoration area grand opening 11am-3pm Sunday, Sept. 20. Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas. Free. (831) 625-5523, bigsurlandtrust.org. Land Locked Ensen Community Park in Salinas expands with a 67-acre restoration area. By Royvi Hernandez “This restoration area is meant to be a refuge.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE SARA RUBIN Big Sur Land Trust Director of Conservation Rachel Saunders walks on the 1.7 miles of trails in Ensen Community Park in Salinas. “This is really about bringing nature back to the middle of the city,” she says. There’s Value in Membership! Membership with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce means increased visibility, trusted credibility, and deeper community connections. Whether you're looking to expand, collaborate, or simply make a difference, the Chamber is here to help your business thrive. We invite you to be part of our award-winning business community. Join the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce today! Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350 JOIN TODAY!
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==